Hackers wirelessly crash car computer

University researchers have found a way to hack into a car’s warning system wirelessly, before disabling the onboard computer.

Car computers are susceptible to hacking

Teams from the University of South Carolina and Rutgers University, America have been able to send fake tyre pressure messages from a remote location, 40 metres away.

Once access was gained, the team were able to make the car’s computer think the pressures were at critical point. The systems were eventually forced to crash after continued manipulation from the hackers.

The tyre pressure monitoring systems which were influenced by the boffins have been required in all new Stateside vehicles since 2008.

Access to the onboard computer was only possible after a team of graduate-level scientists attempted to crack the system for several hours, which suggests that it may not be an immediate worry.

Devising the tools for such a task is said to cost around $1,500 (£950).